North East employers have shown a 75 per cent increase in entries to the National Training Awards.

And this year 15 entrants have got through to the national final.

The awards recognise employers who have developed new skills and lasting success through training and development in the workplace.

The finalists include City Hospitals, Sunderland NHS Trust and GlaxoSmithKline, North Tyneside.

A statement by the Training Awards said: "The high quality of entries shows that organisations in the North East are investing in workplace training and development and the key to competitive advantage.

"This shows in the 75 per cent increase in North East entrants to the awards."